Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Flaming Lips intent on setting a record in New Orleans in two hours

The Flaming Lips are on a quest to set the Guinness World Record for the most live performances in a single day. (Previewed here.) The Oklahoma-based psychedelic band has to complete its New Orleans show at the House of Blues by 6:30 p.m to set the record for the most shows in different cities in a 24 hour period. The quest started in Memphis and the band is finishing up in Baton Rouge as I post this.

Handy Park, Memphis, Tenn.: The Lips kicked off the gauntlet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and played for nearly an hour in the Tennessee heat at Handy Park. At the end of the set, Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton said, “In about 24 hours I’m going to have the distinct honor of welcoming the First Lady [Michelle Obama]. But lemme tell you, nothing compares to welcoming the First Band!”

Ground Zero Blues Club, Clarksdale, Miss.:Rising festival star and blues-connoisseur Gary Clark Jr. opened for the Lips in the city that calls itself “The Birthplace of Blues.” The Lips played their second rendition of “Do You Realize?” which the band promised to play at every concert on the trip.

Duling Hall, Jackson, Miss.: The Lips arrived at 4 a.m. in Jackson for its fourth show in less than 12 hours. They opened with “Is David Bowie Dying,” a cut from the newest album, Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends, playing only a 20-minute set before hitting the road again.

Benny’s Boom Boom Room, Hattiesburg, Miss.: A rising sun greeted The Lips in Hattiesburg, as more than 300 fans packed into Benny’s Boom Boom Room. The Lips were a little behind schedule, and the show lasted just three songs.